Appearance Review Board Staff Report

Transcription

1 Appearance Review Board Staff Report July 20, 2017 ARB Applicant Agenda Item W Robinson Street DMS Hurston State Office Complex Plaza Renovation Maxwell Spann, CPH, Inc. Owner State of Florida Subject Site W. Robinson St. Requested Action Request for a Major Certificate of Appearance Approval for the renovation of the plaza area between the two office towers and the addition of ADA parking spaces on Beggs St. Chatham Ave. W. Washington St. Beggs St. N. Hughey Ave. Aerial Photograph Recommendation Approval, based on the conditions in this staff report Project Planner Doug Metzger, AICP, LMT Updated: July 14, 2017 Summary Project Description The subject site is bounded on the north by W. Robinson St., on the east by Beggs St. and FAMU Law School on the west by Chatham Ave., and on the south by W. Washington St. This is a Major Review for the complete renovation of the office complex plaza area and the addition of ADA parking spaces on Beggs St. Project Background 1977 the first building of the State Office Complex was built along with a 9,500 s.f. plaza area 1987 a second 11-story office buiding was built along with an additional 11,730 s.f. of plaza area a 6-story parking garage was built Public Notice A placard advertising this ARB meeting was posted at the subject property; as of July 14th no inquiries or comments have been received regarding this application.

2 Page 2 Project Overview The north and south towers of the Zora Neale Hurston State of Florida Regional Service Center were completed in 1977 and The plaza area that connects was begun and completed in the same time period. Now after 30 years it is time to update, rehabilitate and redevelop the plaza area between the two towers. The existing plaza is a series of large, paved, tiered spaces at different elevations with step transitions that impede fluid movement around the plaza. There are also several large planter areas surrounded by seat walls between the plaza terraces. The new plaza plans are focused around a central circular area that holds the public space between the two existing office buildings. Radial walkways that extend out from the center of the plaza to N. Division and Beggs Ave. The redevelopment plans greatly reduce the amount of pavement area in favor of landscape and open lawns. The existing terraced areas have also been greatly reduced providing smoother unrestricted flow through the plaza because of less vertical impediments. New furniture, lighting and pergolas are also identified in the plaza redevelopment plans. Additionally, 10 new handicap parking spaces are proposed along Beggs Avenue. ARB Staff Review ARB Staff has reviewed the proposed plans and is eager to see the results of these proposed plans. The modernization of the existing space between the two state office buildings will bring new life into this shared space. ARB Staff supports the design and intent and the details of the new plaza design. Staff s biggest concern is not with the design of the plaza, but with the additional on-street handicapped parking spaces proposed along Beggs Ave. ARB Staff supports the addition of the new spaces but approval of the City s Parking Division and Transportation Engineering department will also be required. ARB Conditions of Approval ARB Staff has reviewed the proposed improvements to 532 W. Church Street, The District, as well as the adjacent properties and is recommending approval with the following conditions: 1. Streetscape A. Streetscape Design Guidelines i. The Beggs Avenue streetscape design and construction is required to comply with the design and construction requirements of the Downtown Orlando Streetscape Design Guidelines and the conditions in this staff report. ii. City Services Easement A city services easement shall be provided by the applicant for any portion of the 15-foot streetscape zone outside of the right-of-way. iii. Maintenance Agreement The applicant shall enter into a maintenance agreement with the City to define maintenance responsibilities for the streetscape zone and any proposed outdoor dining areas. B. General Streetscape Requirements: i. Street Trees High rise live oaks trees shall be planted as the primary street tree on Beggs Avenue along the back of the sidewalk. ii. Structural Soil To minimize root damage to adjacent pavement areas, structural soil or a Planning Official approved equivalent shall be installed around all canopy street trees consistent with Detail 3.4-O and 3.4-P of the Downtown Orlando Streetscape Guidelines. iii. Street Lights Double acorn LED streetlights, consistent with the Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines shall be used along Beggs Avenue and spaced based on OUC lighting requirements. iv. Valve and Junction Boxes All at grade junction, valve and control boxes in the streetscape zone shall be traffic bearing grade boxes and lids. Box lids must be painted a color that matches the adjacent streetscape material. 2. Site Improvements A. Design Intent ARB Staff supports the design intent, site plan, materials, furniture and proposed finishes of in the ARB application package. B. Beggs Ave. On-Street Parking ARB Staff supports the addition of on-street parking spaces along Beggs Ave. However, approval of the City Parking Division and the Transportation Engineering Division will be required prior to submittal of building permits.

3 Page 3 ARB Conditions of Approval [cont.] 3. Lighting A. Parking Are Lighting Lighting must be provided for the side and rear parking areas. The light fixtures must be shielded and comply with the City lighting ordinance. The maximum foot candles [f.c.] at the property line must be zero f.c. per city code. B. All exterior lighting and fixtures will be reviewed by ARB Staff during the building permit process. All exterior lighting must comply with the City lighting code and a photometric plan must be included in the permit documents. 4. ARB Approval A. Permits ARB approval does not grant permission to construct or install improvements. All applicable permits must be obtained prior to commence of demolition and/or construction activities. B. Modifications to the approved ARB plans must be submitted to ARB staff for review and approval. Significant modifications may require additional approval by the Appearance Review Board. Existing Aerial Photo

4 Page 4 Existing Site Photos

5 Page 5 Proposed Plaza Plan

6 Page 6 Proposed Hardscape Plan

7 Page 7 Plaza Details

8 Page 8 Plaza Details ARB ARB W. Robinson 400 W. Robinson St. State St. Office State Complex Office Plaza Complex Redevelopment Plaza Redevelopment

9 Page 9 Plaza Details ARB ARB W. Robinson 400 W. Robinson St. State St. Office State Complex Office Plaza Complex Redevelopment Plaza Redevelopment

10 Page 10 Plaza Details